metal bowl under Racor filter

[Steve]

What is the purpose of these SS bowls? I had thought they were to catch drips or spills but now I see there is a small hole about 1\8" dia. in the bottom which would let any diesel just drip out anyway. In the back of my mind someting tells me it has something to do with fire?
Anyone know?

[Anthonyd]

Primary Fuel Filters | PassageMaker
I hope this helps.

[dimer2]

Good link and info!

[Steve]

Thanks! Here is a quote from the article that explains it.
"Many believe this is present to catch drips and minor leaks, but that’s not the case. Close examination would reveal a small drain hole that would make them unsuited for that purpose. In fact, the bowl is a heat shield that protects the filter’s clear, plastic bowl from flames for the prescribed 2-1/2 minutes."

[dimer2]

Steve, I read the whole thing and now have to go put plugs on my valves cause I know I don't have any!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by dimer2

Steve, I read the whole thing and now have to go put plugs on my valves cause I know I don't have any!

Check mine, plugs but no valves!

[boatpoker]

I see many fuel filters with clear plastic bowls (without heat shields) in engine compartments. None of the Racor filters with clear plastic bowls and without heat shields meet the CFR's for installation in an engine room or fuel tank compartment.

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Ok so this caught my eye and may open pandora's box:

The guideline, set forth in the American Boat and Yacht Council’s Standards, which applies to all fuel carrying components

So this is a guideline, not a regulation. In fact aren't all ABYC recommendations exactly that a recommendation and not law?

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Alaskan Sea-Duction

Ok so this caught my eye and may open pandora's box:

The guideline, set forth in the American Boat and Yacht Council’s Standards, which applies to all fuel carrying components

So this is a guideline, not a regulation. In fact aren't all ABYC recommendations exactly that a recommendation and not law?

True, but in this case there does not seem to be a difference between ABYC Standards and the law (Code of Federal regulations).

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Agree. CFR is the law.

[av8r]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I see many fuel filters with clear plastic bowls (without heat shields) in engine compartments. None of the Racor filters with clear plastic bowls and without heat shields meet the CFR's for installation in an engine room or fuel tank compartment.

of an inspected vessel, or of a vessel of new manufacture.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by av8r

of an inspected vessel, or of a vessel of new manufacture.

Pleasure craft.

[av8r]

A reference to the specific CFR would be quite instructive.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by av8r

A reference to the specific CFR would be quite instructive.

Canada Shipping Act – TP1332E 7.7.1 requires every fuel filter or strainer shall meet the fire resistance requirements for fuel systems set forth in ABYC Standards for Small Craft H-24.5.7 unless the filter or strainer is inside the fuel tank.


ABYC, H-24.5.7 states All individual components of the fuel system, as installed in a boat, shall be capable of withstanding a 2 ½ minute exposure to free burning fuel (N-Heptane) without leakage as required by Title 33 CFR, Section 183.590



United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33 183.590



Fire Test --

(a) A piece of equipment is tested under the following conditions and procedures
(1) Fuel stop valves, “USCG Type A1” or “USCG Type A2” hoses and
hose clamps are tested in a fire chamber.
(2) Fuel filters, strainers and pumps are tested in a fire chamber or as installed
on the engine in the boat.
(b) Each fire test is conducted with free burning heptane and the component must
be subjected to a flame for 2 ½ minutes.
(c) If the component is tested in a fire chamber:
(1) The temperature within one inch of the component must be at least
648°sometime during the 2 ½ minute test
(2) The surface of the heptane must be 8 to 10 inches below the component
being tested.
(3) The heptane must be in a container that is large enough to permit the
perimeter of the top of the surface of the heptane to extend beyond the
vertical projection of the perimeter of the component being tested.


Below is an email from Racor (Parker) listing their CFR compliant filters. None of the filters listed are without a heat shield.

From :
<rnlewis@parker.com>
Sent :
June 30, 2006 10:12:24 AM
To :
"wallace gouk" <boarpoker@gmail.com.com>
Subject :
RE: Heat shield

HI: Wallace marine gas models with UL marine rating B320021MAM / B32020MAM/ 120R-RAC-02 / 320R-RAC-02 / 660R-RAC-02 / 31290R-RAC-32 / 500MAM10 /900MAM10 / 1000MAM10 / Marine diesel models with UL marine rating 110A /120RMAM2 / 215RMAM / 230RMAM / 245RMAM / 445RMAM / 460RMAM / 490RMAM /4120RMAM / 500MA / 900MA / 1000MA / 75500MAX / 75900MAX / 751000MAX /731000MA / 771000MA / 791000MA / 791000MAV / High flow vessels Gas orDiesel FBO-10 / FBO-14 RVFS-1 / RVFS-2 / RVFS-3 all of these models havepassed the fire test.

[av8r]

§ 183.501
Applicability.
(a) This subpart applies to all boats that have gasoline engines, except outboard engines, for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion.
(b) [Reserved]
[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR 55736, Dec. 15, 1983; USCG-1999-5832, 64 FR 34716, June 29, 1999]

33 CFR 183, Subpart J - Fuel Systems

• CFR
• Updates
• Authorities (U.S. Code)

prev | next

• — General
• § 183.501 — Applicability.
• § 183.505 — Definitions.
• § 183.507 — General.
• — Equipment Standards
• § 183.510 — Fuel tanks.
• § 183.512 — Fuel tanks: Prohibited materials.
• § 183.514 — Fuel tanks: Labels.
• § 183.516 — Cellular plastic used to encase fuel tanks.
• § 183.518 — Fuel tank openings.
• § 183.520 — Fuel tank vent systems.
• § 183.524 — Fuel pumps.
• § 183.526 — Carburetors.
• § 183.528 — Fuel stop valves.
• § 183.530 — Spud, pipe, and hose fitting configuration.
• § 183.532 — Clips, straps, and hose clamps.
• § 183.534 — Fuel filters and strainers.
• § 183.536 — Seals and gaskets in fuel filters and strainers.
• § 183.538 — Metallic fuel line materials.
• § 183.540 — Hoses: Standards and markings.
• § 183.542 — Fuel systems.
• — Manufacturer Requirements
• § 183.550 — Fuel tanks: Installation.
• § 183.552 — Plastic encased fuel tanks: Installation.
• § 183.554 — Fittings, joints, and connections.
• § 183.556 — Plugs and fittings.
• § 183.558 — Hoses and connections.
• § 183.560 — Hose clamps: Installation.
• § 183.562 — Metallic fuel lines.
• § 183.564 — Fuel tank fill system.
• § 183.566 — Fuel pumps: Placement.
• § 183.568 — Anti-siphon protection.
• § 183.570 — Fuel filters and strainers: Installation.
• § 183.572 — Grounding.
• — Tests
• § 183.580 — Static pressure test for fuel tanks.
• § 183.584 — Shock test.
• § 183.586 — Pressure impulse test.
• § 183.588 — Slosh test.
• § 183.590 — Fire test.

[boatpoker]

AV8R, sorry, you are correct I have too many standards running around in my head (ABYC, SAE, ABS, UL, CSA, TP1332E, NFTA etc. )and should have reread that before I posted.

[psneeld]

I know that based on all the engine room fires I have seen on small GRP vessels...unless the fuel filter is on the engine itself...the last thing that I'm worried about is whether my Racor has a heat shield around it.... unless by majic the fire started right under the Racor.

[Last Tango]

That's the answer. Prevent the fire from under the bowl, -- Or anywhere. Common sense is better than regulations or guidelines. - But they sometimes protect ---

A hasty repair with the wrong materials needs to be corrected ASAP. If you suspect there is a problem, there probably is -- LOCATE IT and FIX IT!

[Xsbank]

The Racor site does not list the components to make a non-compliant filter set meet the fire regs so are we expected to spend $1200 for a pair of compliant filters? I think that won't happen on my boat.

[RickB]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

AV8R, sorry, you are correct I have too many standards running around in my head ... and should have reread that before I posted.

That seems to be a regular event, you post some perceived interpretation of a "regulation" that either does not exist or does not apply.

Now we have readers asking if they have to spend hundreds of dollars to meet some surveyor proclaimed standard that does not apply.

How many of your clients have paid dearly for modifications or "repairs" based on the same shoot from the hip response to something you should have reread and verified before writing up a survey report?

"You" in this case doesn't mean just you personally, it applies to nearly all small boat surveyors. Most of them are woefully lacking any real expertise in maintenance or regulatory oversight or application.

Thanks for posting though, it is another of the many examples of why a survey buyer should be very very careful of the qualifications and knowledge he believes he is paying for.